Tsipras and Tsakalotos have completely changed the relationship with European partners

"Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and, of course, [current finance minister] Euclid Tsakalotos, have completely changed the relationship with the European partners. Almost everything has been easier since. It's a completely different situation," outgoing Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Friday said in an interview with the Financial Times (FT).

According to FT, Dijsselbloem said that some of the measures Greece had to take to repair its shattered public finances were "extreme," but that discussions have now shifted from belt-tightening to reform.

He also added that he never countenanced a Greek exit, which would have been "really damaging" and a "huge mistake," the FT added.